1-Day Kaikoura Escape: Whales, Views & Lavender

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by Oliver

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Kaikoura 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day adventure in the picturesque town of Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea. Begin your journey with a visit to the Point Kean Viewpoint, where you'll spend two hours soaking in the stunning coastal vistas and possibly spotting some local wildlife. Next, dive into the marine world with Whale Watch Kaikoura for an unforgettable two-hour experience that brings you up close with the majestic giants of the deep. Wrap up your day with a serene half-hour visit to Lavendyl, Kaikoura's own lavender farm, where the fragrant fields and charming farm atmosphere provide a peaceful end to an exhilarating day. This itinerary promises a blend of natural wonders and relaxation, all within the span of a single day, making it perfect for travelers looking to maximize their time in Kaikoura.

Top 6 Hotels in Kaikoura
TOP 1
Sudima Kaikoura
Sudima Kaikoura
hotelStar
4/5
95 reviews
View Hotel Info
TOP 2
Lobster Inn Motor Lodge
Lobster Inn Motor Lodge
hotelStar
4/5
8 reviews
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TOP 3
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
hotelStar
4/5
83 reviews
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Te Mahuru Retreat
Te Mahuru Retreat
hotelStar
4/5
51 reviews
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The Admiral Creighton
The Admiral Creighton
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Fisherman's Friend
Fisherman's Friend
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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1 Day in Kaikoura Itinerary: Day 1

1

Point Kean Viewpoint

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Begin your Kaikoura adventure with a serene morning at Point Kean Viewpoint. As the first stop of the day, this scenic spot offers breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged coastline and azure waters. Spend a couple of hours soaking in the natural beauty, watching seals bask on the rocks, and perhaps even spotting dolphins playing in the waves. The viewpoint is an ideal place to reflect and set the tone for a day of exploration in Kaikoura's stunning landscapes.

Attraction Info

  • 40 Fyffe Quay, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

The Craypot Kitchen & Bar Kaikoura
The Craypot Kitchen & Bar Kaikoura
4.2/5 · 9 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Coopers Catch
Coopers Catch
4.2/5 · 9 reviews
3.9 km from attraction
Bean Me Up
Bean Me Up
/5 · 0 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Zephyr Restaurant, Kaikoura - Open daily from 5.30pm
Zephyr Restaurant, Kaikoura - Open daily from 5.30pm
/5 · 0 reviews
3.8 km from attraction
Allure Cafe and Gallery
Allure Cafe and Gallery
/5 · 0 reviews
3.9 km from attraction
Cafe Encounter
Cafe Encounter
/5 · 0 reviews
3.0 km from attraction
10 min,5.42 km
2

Whale Watch Kaikoura

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Next, dive into the heart of Kaikoura's marine life with a visit to Whale Watch Kaikoura. This world-renowned attraction provides an opportunity to witness the majesty of the ocean's giants. During your 2-hour stay, embark on a boat tour that promises the chance to see sperm whales, orcas, and a variety of other sea creatures in their natural habitat. The knowledgeable guides and state-of-the-art vessels ensure a memorable and educational experience that highlights the ecological significance of Kaikoura's waters.

Attraction Info

  • Whaleway Station Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-4:30pm,All year: 7.15am, 10.00am, 12.45pm & 3.30pm (November-March), Tour scheduling is always subject to customer demand.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Cods and Crayfish
Cods and Crayfish
/5 · 1 review
0.5 km from attraction
The Craypot Kitchen & Bar Kaikoura
The Craypot Kitchen & Bar Kaikoura
4.2/5 · 9 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Kaikoura Seafood BBQ
Kaikoura Seafood BBQ
4.1/5 · 13 reviews
3.4 km from attraction
Kaikoura Indian Restaurant
Kaikoura Indian Restaurant
/5 · 0 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
Allure Cafe and Gallery
Allure Cafe and Gallery
/5 · 0 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Zephyr Restaurant, Kaikoura - Open daily from 5.30pm
Zephyr Restaurant, Kaikoura - Open daily from 5.30pm
/5 · 0 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
9 min,7.39 km
3

Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm

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Conclude your day with a tranquil visit to Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm. After the exhilarating whale watching, the lavender farm offers a gentle contrast with its aromatic fields and peaceful surroundings. Spend half an hour wandering among the purple blooms, exploring the farm's products, and perhaps picking up a fragrant souvenir. This charming stop is the perfect way to unwind and reflect on the natural beauty you've experienced throughout your day in Kaikoura.

Attraction Info

  • 268 Postmans Road, Kaikoura Flat, Kaikōura 7371, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open on Mon, Fri-Sun,10:00am-4:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Koura Bay Lodge
Koura Bay Lodge
/5 · 0 reviews
3.2 km from attraction
4.6/551 Reviews
4.6/5Outstanding51 Reviews
Kaikoura Flat
|1.93km from Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm
4.5/534 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent34 Reviews
Hapuku
|2.85km from Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm

Top Things to Do in Kaikoura-2024

TOP 1
Whale Watch Kaikoura
Whale Watch Kaikoura
4.7/5 · 75 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,898 review
Highlights:
Get up close and personal with the world's largest toothed predator, the giant sperm whale. If you are lucky, you will have the opportunity to see rare dark spotted dolphins, Hector's dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and other animals during the voyage.
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TOP 2
Point Kean Viewpoint
Point Kean Viewpoint
4.5/5 · 36 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 393 review
Highlights:
Kaikoura is the gateway to New Zealand's marine wildlife, with more than 5000 New Zealand fur sea lions living along the coast. The fur sea lion colony here has been named New Zealand's most popular landmark tourist attraction. In Kaikoura, you can experience first-hand how New Zealanders live in harmony with wild animals, and you can see naive sea lions. When admiring the animals, don't get too close.
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TOP 4
Ohau Point Seal Colony
Ohau Point Seal Colony
4.5/5 · 6 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,260 review
Highlights:
The seal habitat is close to the seaside and has beautiful scenery. Under normal circumstances, there are many seals here. You can watch them from a distance or get close to them.
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TOP 5
Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm
Lavendyl - Kaikoura Lavender Farm
4.4/5 · 17 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 181 review
Highlights:
Strolling along the paths in the garden, bursts of floral fragrance come to the nose, mixed with the smell of more than 50 kinds of lavender plants. Accommodation is also available on the farm, and the country house consists of two unique mountain wooden farmhouse style holiday cottages. Of course, there is also a lavender product store on the manor. Many products are made from lavender harvested in the garden, including lavender-flavored ice cream, candles, soap, etc. If you like it here, you might as well live here.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Kaikoura 1 Day Itinerary